Drywall joist hanger connection

Joist hangers are used in building construction to secure the ends of joists or other members to headers or other support members. Drywall is used as a fire barrier, but generally cannot be used to shield supporting structural members like top plates and headers because drywall is susceptible to cracking and crushing and has little bearing strength with regard to fasteners in the drywall. A connection utilizing a joist hanger to hang a substantially horizontal joist or beam from a wood structural support member such as a top plate or header in cooperation with a first plurality of fasteners such as screws and one or more substantially vertical fire-resistant panels such as drywall. This allows the drywall panel, which is relatively incombustible, to extend up far enough to cover the front surface of the header.